Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) releases nicotine into your body to help relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms. NRT products are available over-the-counter without a prescription.

You must be 18 years of age or older to use NRT. Before you start NRT, it is very important to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist first. Some formats should only be used while totally abstaining from smoking, while others can also be used to gradually reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Your doctor or pharmacist may also recommend more than one NRT option to be used together.

Table 1: NRT options

Format

How to use

Advantages

Nicotine gum

Bite down on the gum once or twice, then “park” the gum between your cheek and gum. Wait about 1 minute, then repeat.

Satisfies oral cravings

Allows you to control how much nicotine you use and when you use it

Nicotine lozenges

Place the lozenge in your mouth and let it slowly dissolve. Occasionally move the lozenge from one side of the mouth to the other. Repeat until lozenge is dissolved.

Satisfies oral cravings

Allows you to control how much nicotine you use and when you use it

Nicotine inhaler

Hold the inhaler like a cigarette and draw air through the mouthpiece that has been filled with a nicotine cartridge.

Allows hand-to-mouth ritual to continue

Easy to control the amount of nicotine you inhale

Nicotine patch

Apply the patch to the skin once a day.

Discreet, easy-to-use, once-a-day option

Delivers a continuous, controlled dose of nicotine into your body

Nicotine mouthspray

Spray into open mouth.

Provides quick relief of cravings in about 60 seconds

Allows you to control how much nicotine you use and when you use it

Like any medication, NRT can cause side effects. Consult the package labelling or your Pharmacist to learn more.

This information is provided for educational information purposes only. It is not designed or intended to constitute medical advice or to be used for diagnosis or to replace your Doctor. Consult your Pharmacist or Doctor to determine the appropriateness of the information for your specific situation.
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